The government has been urged to "stay the course" in pursuit of a peace deal in Mindanao, which is seen as the only lasting way to secure economic development in a region that has been stunted by a decades-long conflict.

Axel van Trotsenburg, World Bank's (WB) vice president for East Asia, this week called on officials to show commitment to striking an agreement that seeks to end violence in the Philippines' south.

THE World Bank is committed to provide continuing support to the Mindanao peace process by financing critical projects in infrastructure, community-driven development, and social services to support job creation, according to Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific Axel van Trotsenburg.

In a statement released on Monday, van Trotsenburg said the bank continues to believe in the peace process.

Polomolok, South Cotabato, August 18, 2015—82 Programme for Local Economic Development through Enhanced Governance and Grassroots Empowerment (PLEDGE) beneficiaries from Barangay Koronadal Proper completed five months of community-based enterprise trainings on home décor and garment making; catering and food processing; rice and corn production and equipment rental; and banana processing.

South Upi, Maguindanao, June 15, 2015 — (Last of two parts) Even with funding from foreign governments and help from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the implementation of the Mindanao Trust Fund (MTF) projects is not a walk in the park.

Apart from the MTF, the European Union, being the biggest donor, monitors the projects annually.